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@ @ITEM 2002 -06 -20 City Council Minutes
Mayor Walter Parker called the meeting to order at 8 P.M. Council members
present were as follows. Jimmy Burke, Jack Youmans, Whitley Reynolds, Walter
Crawford, Jason Buelterman and Richard Barrow. Mayor Parker congratulated Richard
on being a new grand father.
Mayor Parker said the first item to be discussed is the budget adjustment needed
for the 2001 budget in order to finish the audit. Auditor Chris Lightle told Council that
there are a # of reason that this needs to be done: In the past adjustment were not done in
a timely manner — meaning the adjustment were not made after Council approved them:
In 2001 the old chart of account was used to start the budget and then was transferred to
the new uniform chart of account that all cities must comply with according to Georgia
law: The budget process was flawed — DPW had enough money in the salary line item in
which at least 6 employee could have been hired: beach renourishment money received
but never budgeted as a revenue or expenditure: hotel/motel up higher than usual so an
adjustment was needed in the revue and in the expenses. These are just a few of the areas
that I noted. Burke asked that $30,000 was spent out of beach renourishment who spent
it and who approved the expenditure. Burke said he wants something in writing
explaining everything before he can vote on the adjustments. Crawford said it takes a
vote by Mayor and Council before grant monies for north beach can be spent is what he
understands. Burke questioned who got the overtime? Youmans said under old budget
the street lights were expensed out of general administration and with the new it is in
DPW — a lot of changes in where things are expensed from — money there just not in the
right place. It was noted that the former City Manager approved a lot of purchases.
Buelterman said this is needed to comply with State and is this common practice?
Lightle replied that in small municipalities that they do not have the personnel to do this
in a timely manner. Barrow said this is a new chart of account. Lightle said items were
split out but money never moved. Crawford asked about 2002 budget. Lightle said it
should not be a problem if someone is keeping up with adjustments. Crawford said he
want where the money is, where it was spent, what purchased and who approved and
wants this in writing. Buelterman asked what will happen if we do not adopt. Lightle
answered if you delay and request an extension it could affect grants from the State, there
will be additions disclosures and you will be in violation of your budget ordinance.
Buelterman said there is no additional spending, this is a common practice, and Lightle
can provide us with a break down. Lightle said the City had 3 Finance Directors — no
budget comparison were done- nobody was watching the spending, you have a guy in
place that has the capabilities. Lightle said that the first 9 months it was like a big party
in the finance office, work was not getting done. Parker told Council that the City needs
to reconcile the 2001 budget. Burke said he wants a written statement from Lightle of
why we have the errors. Youmans agreed, need to know who caused this problem.
Crawford moved to table any decision until next week. Buelterman seconded with the
understanding that this be done by June 30th deadline. Barrow said items were in the
budget, none misspent — chart of accounts changed. Lightle answered chart of accounts
did change and there is no increase in salary. Parker asked Lightle what he could
provide next week for the Council. Lightle said he can tell what department was over
and on capital outlay he can tell who approved the purchase. Vote by6 Council was 5 in
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favor of tabling until next week (Burke, Youmans, Crawford, Buelterman and Barrow); 1
opposed (Reynolds.).
Lightle explained to Council about the $137,000 write off request by Finance. At
the end of 2000 the amount was $36,000 and grew in 2001 to $138,000. Lightle said that
during 2001 that entries were made with no back ups. Crawford asked who made the
entries? Lightle said it could have been Jamie or Tanya, the software conversion was
sloppy, no body was watching the spending, tried to fix but made a bigger mess because
of incorrect entry. Buelterman asked if there would be a specific report at the end oaf the
audit. Lightle said yes, the management letter. Crawford asked if it would benefit the
City to have Jamie come down and answer questions? Buelterman asked how common is
this type of situation? Lightle said highly unusually but the City had a # of Finance
Director last year, the new software.
Buelterman moved to adopt the resolution for the American Coastal Coalition.
Reynolds seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous.
Burke moved to approve the letter by Buelterman to Chatham County concerning
the SPLOST funds for green space. Crawford seconded. Vote by Council was
unanimous.
As the items listed on the agenda were discussed Mayor Parker adjourned the
meeting.
The special called Council meeting will be held on Thursday, June 27th at 7 P.M.
Clerk of Council
Mayor Walter W. Parker
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AMERICAN COASTAL COALITION
RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING FEDERAL FUNDING OF COASTAL PROJECTS
WHEREAS, America's beaches are one of the country's irreplaceable and invaluable assets as,
both environmentally and economically, they are unparalleled as a source of storm protection, a
magnet for national and international tourism and a provider of healthful recreation for all
citizens; and
WHEREAS, the timely maintenance and restoration of these beaches is critical to preserve their
value and viability, and to provide a boost to both the environment and economy of the nation;
and
WHEREAS, the role of the federal government in maintaining and restoring beaches is
appropriate and crucial, in that it recognizes the substantial national and regional economic
benefits arising from beach - related tourism, the benefits accrued to the federal government from
the storm protection afforded by better beaches, as well as the role of federal navigation projects
in accelerating coastal erosion;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved
SECTION 1, that the City of Tybee Island requests that Congress appropriate in fiscal year 2003
no less than $101 million for the purposes of protecting and enhancing America's beaches.
SECTION 2 , that Members of both Houses and both parties are urged to commit themselves to
creating a dedicated funding source for beach maintenance and protection efforts, inasmuch as
only with such funding can this crucial federal effort be assured of the appropriations needed to
ensure success over the decades; and be it further resolved
SECTION 3, the City of Tybee Island strongly supports America's beachfront resources, and
urges all Members of Congress to do the same at this crucial moment in time.
PAYLL31—) _Zed:C/
it yor Walter W. Parker
Dated: Jdne 20, 2002
Mayor Walter W. Parker
City Manager
Bob Thomson
CITY COUNCIL
alter Crawford, Mayor Pro Tem Clerk of R. Brown
Barrow Jacquelyn R. Brown
Jason Buelterman
James "Jimmy" Burke City Attorney
Whitley Reynolds Edward M. Hughes
Jack Youmans
CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND
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June 19, 2002
Russ Abolt
Chatham County Manager
P.O. Box 8161
Savannah, GA 31412
Dear Mr. Abolt,
I am writing in regards to Special Purchase Local Option Sales Tax
(SPLOST) greenspace funds.
At our June 13, 2002, City Council meeting, the Council voted
unanimously to support the County's Greenspace Advisory Committee's
request for roughly 55 million dollars to utilize for the purchase of
greenspace in Chatham County.
Because the City of Tybee Island would be very much interested in
utilizing a portion of those funds to acquire and /or enhance greenspace
on Tybee Island, the City would like to be included in the SPLOST
greenspace program.
Specifically, the City is currently attempting to ensure that a tract
of property just to the east of the Lazeretto Creek Bridge be set aside
for greenspace. This piece of property would be of particular interest
to the citizens of not only Tybee but all of Chatham County as the land
could be utilized, among other things, to extend the McQueen's Island
Trail (also known as the "Rails -to- Trails ") to Tybee Island. The City
would use greenspace funds for this property or potentially other
properties on Tybee as the State, County, City, and community sees fit.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please feel free to
contact me at 786 -4573 or via e -mail at jbuelterman @cityoftybee.org.
Thank you very much for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jason Buelterman
City Councilman
Tybee Island, Georgia
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